Spring-forming machine.



T. F. BUCKLEY & s. s. RIEGEL.

SPRING FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. Is. 1916.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET K.

WITNESSES T. F. BUCKLEY & S. S. RIEGEL.

SPRING FORMING MACHINE.

- APPLICATIQN FILED APR. 18, mus.

1,275,377. Pafiented Aug. 13, 1918.

. 2 SHEETS-:SHEET 2.

/0&

srxcras PATENT OFF-1a.;

mom I. BUCKLEY AND SAMUEL 8. RIB-GEL, OF SCRANTON, P E NNSYLVANIA.

srnmmronmme maonnm;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13,1918.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that we, THoMAs F. Boone: and SAMUEL S. RmoEL, both of Scranton, 1n the county of Lackawanna and State of 5 Pennsylvania, have jointly invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Spring- Forming Machines, of which improvement the following is a specification The object of our invention Is to prov de means, of simple, compact and lnexpenslve construction, whereby plates for the manufacture of elliptic springs may be bent to any desired curvature by the action of fluid pressure, with a substantial reduction of time and expense and a more uniform exertion of pressure throughout the length of the plates than is ordinarily practicable.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying draw ngs: Figure 1 is a plan or top view, partly 1n sectlon, of a spring forming machine, illustrating an application of our invention; Fig. 2, a vertlcal transverse section on the line a: w of F1g. 1 with the chain cooling and parts of the fluld supply mechanism omitted; Fig. 3, an end view, in elevation, as seen from the right; and, Fig. 4, a view illustrating a structural modification. In the practice of our invention, referring to the embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, we provide a flat table or plate, 1, of stout metal, which 1s supported on vertical standards, 1*, adjacent to its ends. A fluid pressure cylinder, 2, is fixed hOIlzontally on a bracket, 2, which pro ects from the front of the table at the middle thereof and is firmly fixed thereto. The cylinder, 2, is fitted with a properly packed piston, 2, which is mounted on a piston rod, 2 projecting from the inner end of the cylinder, and operating fluid, whlch 1s preferably compressed air, is supplied to the outer end of the cylinder through a. pipe, 2*, governed by a manually operated control valve, 2 spring, 2 bearing on the plston, returns it to normal position, upon the release of operating pressure upon it. 4 j

A cross head, 3, is secured to the outer end of the piston rod, 2", sald cross head having a central presser block, 4, projecting from its side which is farther from the cyl1n der, and secured to it by a bolt, 5, and two end presser blocks, 4, which are connected 56 adjustably to it near its ends, and project 1n the same direction as the central block, but

.versely to its length.

for a lesser distance. The presser blocks constitute means for maintaining the normal curvature of a formation plate hereinafter described. In the instance shown in Fig. 1, the end presser blocks are connected to the cross head by bolts, 5, each of which passes through one of a plurality of perforations, 3, in the cross head. The distance of the end blocks from the central block ma thereby be regulated as desired, and it wil be obvious that, if preferred, the variation of their distance from the central block may be effected by a right and left hand threaded screw, 5", journaled in the cross head and 1% engaging threads in the blocks, as shown in Fig. 4. In the operation'of the machine, a plate of metal, 6, which is bent to the curvature which it is desired to impart to the spring plates, as determined by the adjustment of the end presser blocks, relatively to the central block, and which serves as a movable templet or formation plate, is placed against the presser blocks.

A fixed flexible resistance member, which is shown in the form of a flat link chain, 7 the depth of which is, substantially equal to the width of the widest spring plates which are to be bent, is extended longitudinally on the table, 1, and is held in tension by -two plate springs, 8, 8, located at its opposite ends, each of said springs bearing on a sad- -dle, 7, connected to the adjacent end of the chain. The springs are fitted in bearings,

which are pivoted to the table by bolts, 8, O0 and are adjustable, to vary the tension of the springs, by auxiliary coiled springs, 8, and adjusting screws, 8. As so controlled, the springs, 8, 8, act as .cantaliver beams,'and oppose tightening resistance to the'chain, 7, as against pressure exerted uponit trans- The springs, 8, 8, are

covered by flat plates, 8 which protect the operator from injury by spring deflections.

The chain, 7, is maintained, at two points in its length, at its normal'distance from the cross head, as determined by the tension to which it is subjected by the springs, 8, 8, and the extent of the length vof its operative flexible portion is limited by rollers,9, 9, which are'journaled preferably in pairs, as shown in Fig. 2, on vertical pins, 10*, fitted in supports, 10, 10,-adapted to traverse longitudinally on the table, 1-",under a guiding plate 1", secured thereto, and in front of and against a longitudinal abutting ledge, 1, thereon. Thesupports are Ill III

movable toward and from each other, so as to stand at any desired and determined distance apart, by an adjusting screw, 11, journaled on the table, 'below the guiding plate, 1", and having rightand left hand screw threads out upon it, each of which engages a nut, 10", on one of the supports. Rotatlon, in either direction desired, 1S imparted to the adjusting screw by hand wheels, 11*, 11, fixed on its ends; and the supports are maintained in adjusted pos1t1on,by IQOk. ing latches, 11 pivoted to the supportsand having catches, 11, on their lower sides, adapted to engage any of a plural ty of perforations, 1 formed, in line longitudinally, in the guiding plate, 1". I

In long continued service, it is sometimes desirable to cool the chain, and a convenient method of so doing consists in applying a jet of air thereto, for which purpose, a pipe, 12, controlled by a valve, 12, may be connected to the air supply pipe, 2, and led therefrom to a point of discharge adjacent to the chain, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.

In the operation of the machine, a formation plate, 6, which has been bent to the curvature which it is desired to impart to the spring plate, A, which is to be operated on, is placed on the table, against the presser blocks, 4, 4, 4, of the cross head, and the plate, A, which has been previously heated to a proper temperature for bending, 1s stood,

on one of its sides, against the formation plate, as shown in Fig. 1. Motive fluid is then admitted to the cylinder, 2, by opening the control valve, and the piston, 2, and cross head, 3, are thereby forced forwardly or toward the chain, 7 and the plate A is pressed between the formation plate and the chain and bent to the desired curvature, with any initial set or extra draw which may be necessary in spring construction. The ends of the plate A are held in proper position by the pressure of the rollers, 9, 9, on the chain, and the yielding of the intermediate portion of the length of the chain is determined by the curvature of the formation plate. When the plate, A, has been bent,'pressure is released from the cylinder, 2, and the piston and connected cross head arereturned to normal position by the spring, '2 It will be seen that by the lengthening or shortening of the working length of the chain,.spring plates of any length within the capacity of the machine may be bent to a desired curvature.

The construction and maintenance of a spring forming machine embodying; our invention involve comparatively slight cost, and its compact form enables it to be installed within small space in a smith shop. Its operation, in continued practical service, has demonstrated that an increased output may be obtained at a reduced cost, as compared with ordinary practice, and the uniformity of pressure exerted upon the hot spring plates and the tendenc to stretch them upon the cold forming p ate, prevent them from warping and insure their 11111- form condition throughout their length, thereby increasing their life and serviceability.

We claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a spring forming machine, the combination of a fixed flexible resistance member, means for imparting tension thereto; adjustable means for limiting the length of the operative flexible portion of said member; a curved formation plate which is movable toward and from said member; and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the formation plate.

2. In a spring forming machine, the combination of a fixed flexible resistance member; means for imparting tension thereto; means for varying the degree of tension imparted to said member; means for varying the length of the operative flexible portion of said member; a curved formation plate which is movable toward and from said member; and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the formation plate.

3. In a spring forming machine; the combination of a fixed flexible resistance member; means for imparting tension thereto; means for varying the length of the operative flexible portion of said member; a curved formation plate which is movable toward and from said member; means for maintaining the normal curvature of the formation plate; and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the formation plate.

4. In a spring formin machine, the combination of a fixed flexi 1e resistance member; means for imparting tension thereto; means for varying the length of the operative flexible portion of said member; a cross head which is movable toward and from. said member; means, connected to said cross head, for maintaining the normal curvature of a formation plate; a curved formation plate fitting against said maintaining means; and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the cross head.

5. In a spring forming machine, the combination of a fixed flexible resistance member; means for imparting tension thereto; means for varying the length of the operative flexible portion of said member; a cross head which is movable toward and from said member; a plurality of resser blocks connected to said cross hea a curved formation plate fitting against said presser blocks;

and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the cross head.

6. In a spring forming machine, the combination of a fixed flexible resistancemem ber; means .for imparting tension thereto;

tive flexible portion of said member; a cross head-which is'movable toward and from said member; a pluralit of presser blockscone nected to said crossthe longitudinal spacing V of said presser blocks on the cross head; a curved formation fi plate fitting against said presser blocks; and fluid pressure-actuated means for imparting movement to the cross head.

7. In ',a sprin forming machine, the combination of a xed flexible resistance member; springs exerting tensile strain on said.

member; rollers bearing on said member at different points 'in its length; means for Varying the longitudinal spacin o f th'e rollers on said member; a curved formation plate which is movable toward and from said member; and fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement to the formation plate. 7

8. In a sprin formin machine, the coinbination of a xed flexi le resistancemember; springs exerting tensile strain on said member; adjustable supplemental spr' for increasing such tensile strain; rollers bearing on said member at different points ead; means for varying inits-"length; means for varying the longi-' tudinalspacin means or varying'the length 'ofthe'opera her; a curved ormation plate which is movof the rollers on said memable toward and from said member; and

fluid pressure actuated means for imparting movement .to the formation plate.

9. In a-sprin forming machine, the com 'bination of a ta le;

fixed thereto ina'transverse plane; a piston and rod 'working .in said cylinder; a cross head fixedto the piston rod; a flat chain ex- 40 tending-longitudinally on the table; springs bearing on the table and exerting tensile strain on the chain; supports fitted to traverse lon' 'tudinally on the table; rollers 'journale the chain; journaled on the table'and having threads of opposite leads respectively, each engaging a thread of corresponding lead on one of the supports, presser blocks connected to the cross head; and a curved formation plate fitting, against said presser blocks.

THOMAS F. BUCKLEY. I SAMUEL S. RIEGEL.

Witnesses:

NIoHonAs J. KLEIN, PAUL T. BEVAN.

in said supports and bearing on a longitudinal adjusting screw a fluid pressure cylinder i 

